By: Haya Atif
Introduction: A Silent Public Health Crisis
Period poverty in the Pakistan has emerged as a critical yet under-addressed public health and human rights issue. It refers to the inability of women and girls to access menstrual hygiene products, clean water, and private sanitation facilities. Despite its widespread impact, menstrual health is often treated as a secondary concern rather than a central pillar of gender equality and public welfare.
For millions of women, menstruation is managed not with dignity but through unsafe and improvised methods such as reused cloth, ash, or leaves. This reality reflects systemic neglect, particularly in underserved communities where access to resources remains limited.
The Scale of the Crisis:
The magnitude of period poverty in Pakistan is reflected in alarming statistics. Nearly 79% of women experience poor menstrual hygiene management on a monthly basis. The divide between urban and rural populations is particularly stark, with only 16.2% of rural women using sanitary napkins.
Additionally, around 44% of women lack access to basic menstrual hygiene facilities, including private spaces and clean water at home, in schools, or at workplaces. These conditions not only compromise hygiene but also undermine dignity and health.
Economic Barriers and the “Pink Tax”:
Economic hardship is a primary driver of period poverty. With poverty rates reaching approximately 28.9% in 2024–25 and inflation significantly increasing the cost of living, menstrual hygiene products are often perceived as non-essential items.
This situation is further worsened by what activists term the “Pink Tax.” Menstrual products in Pakistan are taxed at rates as high as 40%. Locally produced items are subject to an 18% sales tax, while imported raw materials face customs duties of up to 25%.
In 2025, activists Mahnoor Omer and Alisha Shabbir challenged these policies in High Courts, arguing that such taxation violates constitutional rights, including equality, dignity, and the right to life.
Global Comparisons and Policy Lessons:
While Pakistan struggles with access and affordability, several countries have adopted progressive measures to address menstrual equity.
Scotland has implemented universal free access to menstrual products in public spaces and educational institutions. Countries such as New Zealand, Botswana, and Kenya have introduced school-based distribution programs to reduce absenteeism among girls.
Similarly, nations including Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom have removed taxes on menstrual products, recognizing them as essential goods. Other countries, such as India and Nigeria, have encouraged local production to reduce costs, while Spain, Japan, and Taiwan have introduced policies like paid menstrual leave, acknowledging reproductive health needs in the workplace.
These international models provide valuable insights for Pakistan in developing context-specific solutions.
Impact on Education and Economic Participation:
Period poverty significantly affects girls’ education and long-term economic opportunities. The absence of adequate facilities in schools often forces girls to miss classes or drop out altogether.
Estimates suggest that up to 80% of girls may leave school due to inadequate menstrual hygiene support, with one in four directly attributing their dropout to period-related challenges.
Furthermore, one in five girls misses school during her menstrual cycle, resulting in the loss of nearly an entire academic year over time.
Such disruptions perpetuate gender inequality, limiting women’s participation in education and the workforce.
Cultural Stigma and Health Risks:
Cultural taboos surrounding menstruation remain deeply entrenched, contributing to silence, misinformation, and harmful practices. In many communities, menstruation is considered a subject not to be discussed openly, leaving girls unprepared for their first experience.
In Karachi, a large number of women reportedly avoid bathing during menstruation due to prevailing myths. Nearly half of young girls have no prior knowledge of menstruation before their first period.
The use of unhygienic materials increases the risk of reproductive tract infections and urinary tract infections, which can develop into more severe health complications, including bacterial vaginosis and potential infertility.
Civil Society Response and Ongoing Efforts:
Various organizations across Pakistan are working to address different dimensions of period poverty. Their efforts include emergency relief for displaced populations, installation of sanitary product vending machines in universities, distribution of hygiene kits in remote regions, and community-level awareness campaigns aimed at reducing stigma.
Policy-focused organizations are also advocating for improved water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure at both federal and provincial levels. While these initiatives are impactful, they remain limited in scale and require stronger governmental support for broader implementation.
Conclusion: From Silence to Structural Reform
Period poverty in Pakistan is not an inevitable condition but a solvable crisis. Addressing it requires moving beyond temporary relief efforts toward comprehensive and sustained policy reforms.
Reclassifying menstrual hygiene products as essential goods and removing associated taxes would improve affordability.
Ensuring access to private, gender-segregated sanitation facilities in schools and workplaces is equally critical. At the same time, integrating menstrual health education into the national curriculum for both girls and boys can help dismantle stigma and promote awareness.
Without systemic change, millions of women and girls will continue to face barriers to health, education, and dignity. The way forward demands coordinated action from policymakers, civil society, and global stakeholders.
Period poverty is controllable—periods are not.